124th MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 1573		LR 2264(02)
	An Act To Improve Water Quality through the Phaseout of Overboard Discharges and the Improvement of the Boat Pump-out Laws
	Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment "   "
	Committee: Natural Resources
	Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Fiscal Note
Future biennium cost increase - General Fund
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	This bill requires the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to pay, subject to the availability of funds, a portion of the cost of converting overboard discharge systems to waste-reducing alternative systems if certain criteria are met.  The DEP estimates that if 40% of the existing 1350 OBDs have alternative systems at an average cost of $25,000 each and the state share is 65%, the total cost of these grants would be approximately $8,775,000.  Typically, state participation in costs of this nature have been paid from bond proceeds.  Currently, available bond proceeds are limited and no provision is made in this bill for a new bond issue.  As a result, additional legislation will be required to create a bond issue or provide a General Fund appropriation to fund these costs.  In separate legislation LD 1816 proposes $500,000 in bonds for overboard discharge.
	Any additional costs to the DEP associated with authorizations, issuance of written decisions or making findings of fact can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources.